In Vivo Ultrasound System

ABSTRACT

An in vivo ultrasound system includes first and second bio-medical units. Each of the bio-medical units includes a power harvesting module, an ultrasound transmitter, and an ultrasound receiver. Each of the power harvesting modules is operable to convert an electromagnetic signal into a supply voltage. Each of the ultrasound transmitters is powered by the first supply voltage and transmits an ultrasound signal in accordance with an ultrasound transmit-receive protocol. Each of the ultrasound receivers is powered by the supply voltage and is operable to receive a representation of the first ultrasound signal and receive a representation of a second ultrasound signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

This patent application is claiming priority under 35 USC §119 to aprovisionally filed patent application entitled BIO-MEDICAL UNIT ANDAPPLICATIONS THEREOF, having a provisional filing date of Sep. 30, 2009,and a provisional Ser. No. 61/247,060.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC NOTAPPLICABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to medical equipment and moreparticularly to wireless medical equipment.

2. Description of Related Art

As is known, there is a wide variety of medical equipment that aids inthe diagnosis, monitoring, and/or treatment of patients' medicalconditions. For instances, there are diagnostic medical devices,therapeutic medical devices, life support medical devices, medicalmonitoring devices, medical laboratory equipment, etc. As specificexamples magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices produce images thatillustrate the internal structure and function of a body.

The advancement of medical equipment is in step with the advancements ofother technologies (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID),robotics, etc.). Recently, RFID technology has been used for in vitrouse to store patient information for easy access. While such in vitroapplications have begun, the technical advancement in this area is inits infancy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of an artificial body partincluding one or more bio-medical units in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an artificialbody part in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a bio-medicalunit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a powerharvesting module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a powerharvesting module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a powerharvesting module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a powerharvesting module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power boostmodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anelectromagnetic (EM)) power harvesting module in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anelectromagnetic (EM)) power harvesting module in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of abio-medical unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example of a communication protocol within asystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram of another example of a communication protocolwithin a system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a diagram of an embodiment of a network of bio-medical unitscollecting image data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a diagram of an embodiment of a network of bio-medical unitsthat include MEMS robotics in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a diagram of another embodiment of a network of bio-medicalunits that include MEMS robotics in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 24 is a diagram of an embodiment of a bio-medical unit collectingimage data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a diagram of another embodiment of a network of bio-medicalunits communicating via light signaling in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 is a diagram of an embodiment of a bio-medical unit collectingaudio and/or ultrasound data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a diagram of another embodiment of a network of bio-medicalunits communicating via audio and/or ultrasound signaling in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a diagram of an embodiment of a network of bio-medical unitscollecting ultrasound data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of abio-medical unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a leaky antennaof the bio-medical unit of FIG. 29 in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 31 is a diagram of an example of an antenna radiation pattern ofthe leaky antenna of FIG. 30 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a diagram of another example of an antenna radiation patternof the leaky antenna of FIG. 30 in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 33 is a diagram of an embodiment of a bio-medical unit determiningrelative distance using Doppler shifting in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 34 is a diagram of an example of determining relative distanceusing Doppler shifting in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 35 is a diagram of an example of determining vibrations usingDoppler shifting and ultrasound in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system that includes aplurality of bio-medical units 10 embedded within a body and/or placedon the surface of the body to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and/ordata collections. Each of the bio-medical units 10 is a passive device(e.g., it does not include a power source (e.g., a battery)) and, assuch, includes a power harvesting module. The bio-medical units 10 mayalso include one or more of memory, a processing module, and functionalmodules. Alternatively, or in addition to, each of the bio-medical units10 may include a rechargeable power source.

In operation, a transmitter 12 emits electromagnetic signals 16 thatpass through the body and are received by a receiver 14. The transmitter12 and receiver 14 may be part of a piece of medical diagnosticequipment (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, etc.) orindependent components for stimulating and communicating with thenetwork of bio-medical units in and/or on a body. One or more of thebio-medical units 10 receives the transmitted electromagnetic signals 16and generates a supply voltage therefrom. Examples of this will bedescribed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 8-12.

Embedded within the electromagnetic signals 16 (e.g., radio frequency(RF) signals, millimeter wave (MMW) signals, MRI signals, etc.) or viaseparate signals, the transmitter 12 communicates with one or more ofthe bio-medical units 10. For example, the electromagnetic signals 16may have a frequency in the range of a few MHz to 900 MHz and thecommunication with the bio-medical units 10 is modulated on theelectromagnetic signals 16 at a much higher frequency (e.g., 5 GHz to300 GHz). As another example, the communication with the bio-medicalunits 10 may occur during gaps (e.g., per protocol of medical equipmentor injected for communication) of transmitting the electromagneticsignals 16. As another example, the communication with the bio-medicalunits 10 occurs in a different frequency band and/or using a differenttransmission medium (e.g., use RF or MMW signals when the magnetic fieldof the electromagnetic signals are dominate, use ultrasound signals whenthe electromagnetic signals 16 are RF and/or MMW signals, etc.).

One or more of the bio-medical units 10 receives the communicationsignals 18 and processes them accordingly. The communication signals 18may be instructions to collect data, to transmit collected data, to movethe unit's position in the body, to perform a function, to administer atreatment, etc. If the received communication signals 18 require aresponse, the bio-medical unit 10 prepares an appropriate response andtransmits it to the receiver 14 using a similar communication conventionused by the transmitter 12.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes aplurality of bio-medical units 10 embedded within a body and/or placedon the surface of the body to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and/ordata collections. Each of the bio-medical units 10 is a passive deviceand, as such, includes a power harvesting module. The bio-medical units10 may also include one or more of memory, a processing module, andfunctional modules. In this embodiment, the person is placed in an MRImachine (fixed or portable) that generates a magnetic field 26 throughwhich the MRI transmitter 20 transmits MRI signals 28 to the MRIreceiver 22.

One or more of the bio-medical units 10 powers itself by harvestingenergy from the magnetic field 26 or changes thereof as produced bygradient coils, from the magnetic fields of the MRI signals 28, from theelectrical fields of the MRI signals 28, and/or from the electromagneticaspects of the MRI signals 28. A unit 10 converts the harvested energyinto a supply voltage that supplies other components of the unit (e.g.,a communication module, a processing module, memory, a functionalmodule, etc.).

A communication device 24 communicates data and/or controlcommunications 30 with one or more of the bio-medical units 10 over oneor more wireless links. The communication device 24 may be a separatedevice from the MRI machine or integrated into the MRI machine. Forexample, the communication device 24, whether integrated or separate,may be a cellular telephone, a computer with a wireless interface (e.g.,a WLAN station and/or access point, Bluetooth, a proprietary protocol,etc.), etc. A wireless link may be one or more frequencies in the ISMband, in the 60 GHz frequency band, the ultrasound frequency band,and/or other frequency bands that supports one or more communicationprotocols (e.g., data modulation schemes, beamforming, RF or MMWmodulation, encoding, error correction, etc.).

The composition of the bio-medical units 10 includes non-ferromagneticmaterials (e.g., paramagnetic or diamagnetic) and/or metal alloys thatare minimally affected by an external magnetic field 26. In this regard,the units harvest power from the MRI signals 28 and communicate using RFand/or MMW electromagnetic signals with negligible chance ofencountering the projectile or missile effect of implants that includeferromagnetic materials.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of an artificial body part 32including one or more bio-medical units 10 that may be surgicallyimplanted into a body. The artificial body part 32 may be a pace maker,a breast implant, a joint replacement, an artificial bone, splints,fastener devices (e.g., screws, plates, pins, sutures, etc.), artificialorgan, etc. The artificial body part 32 may be permanently embedded inthe body or temporarily embedded into the body.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an artificialbody part 32 that includes one or more bio-medical units 10. Forinstance, one bio-medical unit 10 may be used to detect infections, thebody's acceptance of the artificial body part 32, measure localized bodytemperature, monitor performance of the artificial body part 32, and/ordata gathering for other diagnostics. Another bio-medical unit 10 may beused for deployment of treatment (e.g., disperse medication, applyelectrical stimulus, apply RF radiation, apply laser stimulus, etc.).Yet another bio-medical unit 10 may be used to adjust the position ofthe artificial body part 32 and/or a setting of the artificial body part32. For example, a bio-medical unit 10 may be used to mechanicallyadjust the tension of a splint, screws, etc. As another example, abio-medical unit 10 may be used to adjust an electrical setting of theartificial body part 32.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes aplurality of bio-medical units 10 and one or more communication devices24 coupled to a wide area network (WAN) communication device 34 (e.g., acable modem, DSL modem, base station, access point, hot spot, etc.). TheWAN communication device 34 is coupled to a network 42 (e.g., cellulartelephone network, internet, etc.), which has coupled to it a pluralityof remote monitors 36, a plurality of databases 40, and a plurality ofcomputers 38. The communication device 24 includes a processing moduleand a wireless transceiver module (e.g., one or more transceivers) andmay function similarly to communication module 48 as described in FIG.8,

In this system, one or more bio-medical units 10 are implanted in, oraffixed to, a host body (e.g., a person, an animal, genetically growntissue, etc.). As previously discussed and will be discussed in greaterdetail with reference to one or more of the following figures, abio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module, a communicationmodule, and one or more functional modules. The power harvesting moduleoperable to produce a supply voltage from a received electromagneticpower signal (e.g., the electromagnetic signal 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2, theMRI signals of one or more the subsequent figures). The communicationmodule and the at least one functional module are powered by the supplyvoltage.

In an example of operation, the communication device 24 (e.g.,integrated into an MRI machine, a cellular telephone, a computer with awireless interface, etc.) receives a downstream WAN signal from thenetwork 42 via the WAN communication device 34. The downstream WANsignal may be generated by a remote monitoring device 36, a remotediagnostic device (e.g., computer 38 performing a remote diagnosticfunction), a remote control device (e.g., computer 38 performing aremote control function), and/or a medical record storage device (e.g.,database 40).

The communication device 24 converts the downstream WAN signal into adownstream data signal. For example, the communication device 24 mayconvert the downstream WAN signal into a symbol stream in accordancewith one or more wireless communication protocols (e.g., GSM, CDMA,WCDMA, HSUPA, HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee,universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution(LTE), IEEE 802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.). Thecommunication device 24 may convert the symbol stream into thedownstream data signal using the same or a different wirelesscommunication protocol.

Alternatively, the communication device 24 may convert the symbol streaminto data that it interprets to determine how to structure thecommunication with the bio-medical unit 10 and/or what data (e.g.,instructions, commands, digital information, etc.) to include in thedownstream data signal. Having determined how to structure and what toinclude in the downstream data signal, the communication device 24generates the downstream data signal in accordance with one or morewireless communication protocols. As yet another alternative, thecommunication device 24 may function as a relay, which provides thedownstream WAN signal as the downstream data signal to the one or morebio-medical units 10.

When the communication device 24 has (and/or is processing) thedownstream data signal to send to the bio-medical unit, it sets up acommunication with the bio-medical unit. The set up may includeidentifying the particular bio-medical unit(s), determining thecommunication protocol used by the identified bio-medical unit(s),sending a signal to an electromagnetic device (e.g., MRI device, etc.)to request that it generates the electromagnetic power signal to powerthe bio-medical unit, and/or initiate a communication in accordance withthe identified communication protocol. As an alternative to requesting aseparate electromagnetic device to create the electromagnetic powersignal, the communication device may include an electromagnetic deviceto create the electromagnetic power signal.

Having set up the communication, the communication device 24 wirelesslycommunicates the downstream data signal to the communication module ofthe bio-medical unit 10. The functional module of the bio-medical unit10 processes the downstream data contained in the downstream data signalto perform a bio-medical functional, to store digital informationcontained in the downstream data, to administer a treatment (e.g.,administer a medication, apply laser stimulus, apply electricalstimulus, etc.), to collect a sample (e.g., blood, tissue, cell, etc.),to perform a micro electro-mechanical function, and/or to collect data.For example, the bio-medical function may include capturing a digitalimage, capturing a radio frequency (e.g., 300 MHz to 300 GHz) radarimage, an ultrasound image, a tissue sample, and/or a measurement (e.g.,blood pressure, temperature, pulse, blood-oxygen level, blood sugarlevel, etc.).

When the downstream data requires a response, the functional moduleperforms a bio-medical function to produce upstream data. Thecommunication module converts the upstream data into an upstream datasignal in accordance with the one or more wireless protocols. Thecommunication device 24 converts the upstream data signal into anupstream wide area network (WAN) signal and transmits it to a remotediagnostic device, a remote control device, and/or a medical recordstorage device. In this manner, a person(s) operating the remotemonitors 36 may view images and/or the data 30 gathered by thebio-medical units 10. This enables a specialist to be consulted withoutrequiring the patient to travel to the specialist's office.

In another example of operation, one or more of the computers 38 maycommunicate with the bio-medical units 10 via the communication device24, the WAN communication device 34, and the network 42. In thisexample, the computer 36 may provide commands 30 to one or more of thebio-medical units 10 to gather data, to dispense a medication, to moveto a new position in the body, to perform a mechanical function (e.g.,cut, grasp, drill, puncture, stitch, patch, etc.), etc. As such, thebio-medical units 10 may be remotely controlled via one or more of thecomputers 36.

In another example of operation, one or more of the bio-medical units 10may read and/or write data from or to one or more of the databases 40.For example, data (e.g., a blood sample analysis) generated by one ormore of the bio-medical units 10 may be written to one of the databases40. The communication device 24 and/or one of the computers 36 maycontrol the writing of data to or the reading of data from thedatabase(s) 40. The data may further include medical records, medicalimages, prescriptions, etc.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes aplurality of bio-medical units 10. In this embodiment, the bio-medicalunits 10 can communicate with each other directly and/or communicatewith the communication device 24 directly. The communication medium maybe an infrared channel(s), an RF channel(s), a MMW channel(s), and/orultrasound. The units may use a communication protocol such as tokenpassing, carrier sense, time division multiplexing, code divisionmultiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, etc.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes aplurality of bio-medical units 10. In this embodiment, one of thebio-medical units 44 functions as an access point for the other units.As such, the designated unit 44 routes communications between the units10 and between one or more units 10 and the communication device 24. Thecommunication medium may be an infrared channel(s), an RF channel(s), aMMW channel(s), and/or ultrasound. The units 10 may use a communicationprotocol such as token passing, carrier sense, time divisionmultiplexing, code division multiplexing, frequency divisionmultiplexing, etc.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a bio-medicalunit 10 that includes a power harvesting module 46, a communicationmodule 48, a processing module 50, memory 52, and one or more functionalmodules 54. The processing module 50 may be a single processing deviceor a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/oroperational instructions. The processing module 50 may have anassociated memory 52 and/or memory element, which may be a single memorydevice, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of theprocessing module. Such a memory device 52 may be a read-only memory,random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Note that if the processing module 50includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may becentrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/orwireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloudcomputing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a widearea network). Further note that when the processing module 50implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/ormemory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may beembedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.Still further note that, the memory element stores, and the processingmodule executes, hard coded and/or operational instructionscorresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustratedin FIGS. 1-26.

The power harvesting module 46 may generate one or more supply voltages56 (Vdd) from a power source signal (e.g., one or more of MRIelectromagnetic signals 16, magnetic fields 26, RF signals, MMW signals,ultrasound signals, light signals, and body motion). The powerharvesting module 46 may be implemented as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,595,732 to generate one or more supply voltages from an RF signal. Thepower harvesting module 46 may be implemented as shown in one or moreFIGS. 9-11 to generate one or more supply voltages 56 from an MRI signal28 and/or magnetic field 26. The power harvesting module 46 may beimplemented as shown in FIG. 12 to generate one or more supply voltage56 from body motion. Regardless of how the power harvesting modulegenerates the supply voltage(s), the supply voltage(s) are used to powerthe communication module 48, the processing module 50, the memory 52,and/or the functional modules 54.

In an example of operation, a receiver section of the communicationmodule 48 receives an inbound wireless communication signal 60 andconverts it into an inbound symbol stream. For example, the receiversection amplifies an inbound wireless (e.g., RF or MMW) signal 60 toproduce an amplified inbound RF or MMW signal. The receiver section maythen mix in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the amplifiedinbound RF or MMW signal with in-phase and quadrature components of alocal oscillation to produce a mixed I signal and a mixed Q signal. Themixed I and Q signals are combined to produce an inbound symbol stream.In this embodiment, the inbound symbol may include phase information(e.g., +/−Δθ[phase shift] and/or θ(t) [phase modulation]) and/orfrequency information (e.g., +/−Δf [frequency shift] and/or f(t)[frequency modulation]). In another embodiment and/or in furtherance ofthe preceding embodiment, the inbound RF or MMW signal includesamplitude information (e.g., +/−ΔA [amplitude shift] and/or A(t)[amplitude modulation]). To recover the amplitude information, thereceiver section includes an amplitude detector such as an envelopedetector, a low pass filter, etc.

The processing module 50 converts the inbound symbol stream into inbounddata and generates a command message based on the inbound data. Thecommand message may instruction one or more of the functional modules toperform one or more electro-mechanical functions of gathering data(e.g., imaging data, flow monitoring data), dispensing a medication,moving to a new position in the body, performing a mechanical function(e.g., cut, grasp, drill, puncture, stitch, patch, etc.), dispensing atreatment, collecting a biological sample, etc.

To convert the inbound symbol stream into the inbound data (e.g., voice,text, audio, video, graphics, etc.), the processing module 50 mayperform one or more of: digital intermediate frequency to basebandconversion, time to frequency domain conversion, space-time-blockdecoding, space-frequency-block decoding, demodulation, frequency spreaddecoding, frequency hopping decoding, beamforming decoding,constellation demapping, deinterleaving, decoding, depuncturing, and/ordescrambling. Such a conversion is typically prescribed by one or morewireless communication standards (e.g., GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, HSUPA, HSDPA,WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, universal mobiletelecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), IEEE802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.).

The processing module 50 provides the command message to one or more ofthe micro-electromechanical functional modules 54. The functional module54 performs an electro-mechanical function within a hosting body inaccordance with the command message. Such an electro-mechanical functionincludes at least one of data gathering (e.g., image, flow monitoring),motion, repairs, dispensing medication, biological sampling,diagnostics, applying laser treatment, applying ultrasound treatment,grasping, sawing, drilling, providing an electronic stimulus etc. Notethat the functional modules 54 may be implemented using nanotechnologyand/or microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) technology.

When requested per the command message (e.g. gather data and report thedata), the micro electro-mechanical functional module 54 generates anelectro-mechanical response based on the performing theelectro-mechanical function. For example, the response may be data(e.g., heart rate, blood sugar levels, temperature, blood flow rate,image of a body object, etc.), a biological sample (e.g., blood sample,tissue sample, etc.), acknowledgement of performing the function (e.g.,acknowledge a software update, storing of data, etc.), and/or anyappropriate response. The micro electro-mechanical functional module 54provides the response to the processing module 50.

The processing module 50 converts the electro-mechanical response intoan outbound symbol stream, which may be done in accordance with one ormore wireless communication standards (e.g., GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, HSUPA,HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, universalmobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), IEEE802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.). Such a conversionincludes one or more of: scrambling, puncturing, encoding, interleaving,constellation mapping, modulation, frequency spreading, frequencyhopping, beamforming, space-time-block encoding, space-frequency-blockencoding, frequency to time domain conversion, and/or digital basebandto intermediate frequency conversion.

A transmitter section of the communication module 48 converts anoutbound symbol stream into an outbound RF or MMW signal 60 that has acarrier frequency within a given frequency band (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz,5 GHz, 57-66 GHz, etc.). In an embodiment, this may be done by mixingthe outbound symbol stream with a local oscillation to produce anup-converted signal. One or more power amplifiers and/or power amplifierdrivers amplifies the up-converted signal, which may be RF or MMWbandpass filtered, to produce the outbound RF or MMW signal 60. Inanother embodiment, the transmitter section includes an oscillator thatproduces an oscillation. The outbound symbol stream provides phaseinformation (e.g., +/−Δθ[phase shift] and/or θ(t) [phase modulation])that adjusts the phase of the oscillation to produce a phase adjusted RFor MMW signal, which is transmitted as the outbound RF signal 60. Inanother embodiment, the outbound symbol stream includes amplitudeinformation (e.g., A(t) [amplitude modulation]), which is used to adjustthe amplitude of the phase adjusted RF or MMW signal to produce theoutbound RF or MMW signal 60.

In yet another embodiment, the transmitter section includes anoscillator that produces an oscillation. The outbound symbol providesfrequency information (e.g., +/−Δf [frequency shift] and/or f(t)[frequency modulation]) that adjusts the frequency of the oscillation toproduce a frequency adjusted RF or MMW signal, which is transmitted asthe outbound RF or MMW signal 60. In another embodiment, the outboundsymbol stream includes amplitude information, which is used to adjustthe amplitude of the frequency adjusted RF or MMW signal to produce theoutbound RF or MMW signal 60. In a further embodiment, the transmittersection includes an oscillator that produces an oscillation. Theoutbound symbol provides amplitude information (e.g., +/−ΔA [amplitudeshift] and/or A(t) [amplitude modulation) that adjusts the amplitude ofthe oscillation to produce the outbound RF or MMW signal 60.

Note that the bio-medical unit 10 may be encapsulated by an encapsulate58 that is non-toxic to the body. For example, the encapsulate 58 may bea silicon based product, a non-ferromagnetic metal alloy (e.g.,stainless steel), etc. As another example, the encapsulate 58 mayinclude a spherical shape and have a ferromagnetic liner that shieldsthe unit from a magnetic field and to offset the forces of the magneticfield. Further note that the bio-medical unit 10 may be implemented on asingle die that has an area of a few millimeters or less. The die may befabricated in accordance with CMOS technology, Gallium-Arsenidetechnology, and/or any other integrated circuit die fabrication process.

In another example of operation, one of the functional modules 54functions as a first micro-electro mechanical module and another one ofthe functions modules 54 functions as a second micro-electro mechanicalmodule. In this example, the bio-medical unit is implanted into a hostbody (e.g., a person, an animal, a reptile, etc.) at a position proximalto a body object to be monitored and/or have an image taken thereof. Forexample, the body object may be a vein, an artery, an organ, a cyst (orother growth), etc. As a specific example, the bio-medical unit may bepositioned approximately parallel to the flow of blood in a vein,artery, and/or the heart.

When powered by the supply voltage, the first micro-electro mechanicalmodule generates and transmits a wireless signal at, or around, the bodyobject. The second micro-electro mechanical module receives arepresentation of the wireless signal (e.g., a reflection of thewireless signal, a refraction of the wireless signal, or a determinedabsorption of the wireless signal). Note that the wireless signal may bean ultrasound signal, a radio frequency signal, and/or a millimeter wavesignal.

The processing module 50 may coordinate the transmitting of the wirelesssignal and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal.For example, the processing module may receive, via the communicationmodule, a command to enable the transmitting of the wireless signal(e.g., an ultrasound signal) and the receiving of the representation ofthe wireless signal. In response, the processing module generates acontrol signal that it provides to the first micro-electro mechanicalmodule to enable it to transmit the wireless signal.

In addition, the processing module may generate flow monitoring databased on the second micro-electro mechanical module receiving of therepresentation of the wireless signal. As a specific example, theprocessing module calculates a fluid flow rate based on phase shiftingand/or frequency shifting between the transmitting of the wirelesssignal and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal.As another specific example, the processing module gathers phaseshifting data and/or frequency shifting data based on the transmittingof the wireless signal and the receiving of the representation of thewireless signal.

The processing module may further generate imaging data based on thesecond micro-electro mechanical module receiving the representation ofthe wireless signal. As a specific example, the processing modulecalculates an image of the body object based absorption of the wirelesssignal by the body object and/or vibration of the body object. Asanother specific example, the processing module gathers data regardingthe absorption of the wireless signal by the body object and/or of thevibration of the body object.

While the preceding examples of a bio-medical unit including first andsecond micro-electro mechanical modules for transmitting and receivingwireless signals (e.g., ultrasound, RF, MMW, etc.), a bio-medical unitmay include one or the other module. For example, a bio-medical unit mayinclude a micro-electro mechanical module for transmitting a wirelesssignal, where the receiver is external to the body or in anotherbio-medical unit. As another example, a bio-medical unit may include amicro-electro mechanical module for receiving a representation of awireless signal, where the transmitter is external to the body oranother bio-medical unit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a powerharvesting module 46 that includes an array of on-chip air coreinductors 64, a rectifying circuit 66, capacitors, and a regulationcircuit 68. The inductors 64 may each having an inductance of a fewnano-Henries to a few micro-Henries and may be coupled in series, inparallel, or a series parallel combination.

In an example of operation, the MRI transmitter 20 transmits MRI signals28 at a frequency of 3-45 MHz at a power level of up to 35 KWatts. Theair core inductors 64 are electromagnetically coupled to generate avoltage from the magnetic and/or electric field generated by the MRIsignals 28. Alternatively, or in addition to, the air core inductors 64may generate a voltage from the magnetic field 26 and changes thereofproduced by the gradient coils. The rectifying circuit 66 rectifies theAC voltage produced by the inductors to produce a first DC voltage. Theregulation circuit generates one or more desired supply voltages 56 fromthe first DC voltage.

The inductors 64 may be implemented on one more metal layers of the dieand include one or more turns per layer. Note that trace thickness,trace length, and other physical properties affect the resultinginductance.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a powerharvesting module 46 that includes a plurality of on-chip air coreinductors 70, a plurality of switching units (S), a rectifying circuit66, a capacitor, and a switch controller 72. The inductors 70 may eachhaving an inductance of a few nano-Henries to a few micro-Henries andmay be coupled in series, in parallel, or a series parallel combination.

In an example of operation, the MRI transmitter 20 transmits MRI signals28 at a frequency of 3-45 MHz at a power level of up to 35 KWatts. Theair core inductors 70 are electromagnetically coupled to generate avoltage from the magnetic and/or electric field generated by the MRIsignals 28. The switching module 72 engages the switches via controlsignals 74 to couple the inductors 70 in series and/or parallel togenerate a desired AC voltage. The rectifier circuit 66 and thecapacitor(s) convert the desired AC voltage into the one or more supplyvoltages 56.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a powerharvesting module 46 that includes a plurality of Hall effect devices76, a power combining module 78, and a capacitor(s). In an example ofoperation, the Hall effect devices 76 generate a voltage based on theconstant magnetic field (H) and/or a varying magnetic field. The powercombining module 78 (e.g., a wire, a switch network, a transistornetwork, a diode network, etc.) combines the voltages of the Hall effectdevices 76 to produce the one or more supply voltages 56.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a powerharvesting module 46 that includes a plurality of piezoelectric devices82, a power combining module 78, and a capacitor(s). In an example ofoperation, the piezoelectric devices 82 generate a voltage based on bodymovement, ultrasound signals, movement of body fluids, etc. The powercombining module 78 (e.g., a wire, a switch network, a transistornetwork, a diode network, etc.) combines the voltages of the Hall effectdevices 82 to produce the one or more supply voltages 56. Note that thepiezoelectric devices 82 may include one or more of a piezoelectricmotor, a piezoelectric actuator, a piezoelectric sensor, and/or apiezoelectric high voltage device.

The various embodiments of the power harvesting module 46 may becombined to generate more power, more supply voltages, etc. For example,the embodiment of FIG. 9 may be combined with one or more of theembodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power boostmodule 84 that harvests energy from MRI signals 28 and converts theenergy into continuous wave (CW) RF (e.g., up to 3 GHz) and/or MMW(e.g., up to 300 GHz) signals 92 to provide power to the implantedbio-medical units 10. The power boost module 84 sits on the body of theperson under test or treatment and includes an electromagnetic powerharvesting module 86 and a continuous wave generator 88. In such anembodiment, the power boosting module 84 can recover significantly moreenergy than a bio-medical unit 10 since it can be significantly larger.For example, a bio-medical unit 10 may have an area of a few millimeterssquared while the power boosting module 84 may have an area of a few totens of centimeters squared.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anelectromagnetic (EM)) power harvesting module 86 that includesinductors, diodes (or transistors) and a capacitor. The inductors mayeach be a few mili-Henries such that the power boost module can deliverup to 10's of mili-watts of power.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anelectromagnetic (EM)) power harvesting module 86 that includes aplurality of Hall effect devices 76, a power combining module 78, and acapacitor. This functions as described with reference to FIG. 11, butthe Hall effect devices 76 can be larger such that more power can beproduced. Note that the EM power harvesting module 86 may include acombination of the embodiment of FIG. 14 and the embodiment of FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of abio-medical unit 10 that includes a power harvesting module 46, acommunication module 48, a processing module 50, memory 52, and mayinclude one or more functional modules 54 and/or a Hall effectcommunication module 116. The communication module 48 may include one ormore of an ultrasound transceiver 118 (i.e., a receiver and atransmitter), an electromagnetic transceiver 122, an RF and/or MMWtransceiver 120, and a light source (LED) transceiver 124. Note thatexamples of the various types of communication modules 48 will bedescribed in greater detail with reference to one or more of thesubsequent Figures.

The one or more functional modules 54 may perform a repair function, animaging function, and/or a leakage detection function, which may utilizeone or more of a motion propulsion module 96, a camera module 98, asampling robotics module 100, a treatment robotics module 102, anaccelerometer module 104, a flow meter module 106, a transducer module108, a gyroscope module 110, a high voltage generator module 112, acontrol release robotics module 114, and/or other functional modulesdescribed with reference to one or more other figures. The functionalmodules 54 may be implemented using MEMS technology and/ornanotechnology. For example, the camera module 98 may be implemented asa digital image sensor in MEMS technology.

The Hall effect communication module 116 utilizes variations in themagnetic field and/or electrical field to produce a plus or minusvoltage, which can be encoded to convey information. For example, thecharge applied to one or more Hall effect devices 76 may be varied toproduce the voltage change. As another example, an MRI transmitter 20and/or gradient unit may modulate a signal on the magnetic field 26 itgenerates to produce variations in the magnetic field 26.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes oneor more bio-medical units 10, a transmitter unit 126, and a receiverunit 128. Each of the bio-medical units 10 includes a power harvestingmodule 46, a MMW transceiver 138, a processing module 50, and memory 52.The transmitter unit 126 includes a MRI transmitter 130 and a MMWtransmitter 132. The receiver unit 128 includes a MRI receiver 134 and aMMW receiver 136. Note that the MMW transmitter 132 and MMW receiver 136may be in the same unit (e.g., in the transmitter unit, in the receiverunit, or housed in a separate device).

In an example of operation, the bio-medical unit 10 recovers power fromthe electromagnetic (EM) signals 146 transmitted by the MRI transmitter130 and communicates via MMW signals 148-150 with the MMW transmitter132 and MMW receiver 136. The MRI transmitter 130 may be part of aportable MRI device, may be part of a full sized MRI machine, and/orpart of a separate device for generating EM signals 146 for powering thebio-medical unit 10.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example of a communication protocol withinthe system of FIG. 17. In this diagram, the MRI transmitter 20 transmitsRF signals 152, which have a frequency in the range of 3-45 MHz, atvarious intervals with varying signal strengths. The power harvestingmodule 46 of the bio-medical units 10 may use these signals to generatepower for the bio-medical unit 10.

In addition to the MRI transmitter 20 transmitting its signal, aconstant magnetic field and various gradient magnetic fields 154-164 arecreated (one or more in the x dimension Gx, one or more in the ydimension Gy, and one or more in the z direction Gz). The powerharvesting module 46 of the bio-medical unit 10 may further use theconstant magnetic field and/or the varying magnetic fields 154-164 tocreate power for the bio-medical unit 10.

During non-transmission periods of the cycle, the bio-medical unit 10may communicate 168 with the MMW transmitter 132 and/or MMW receiver136. In this regard, the bio-medical unit 10 alternates from generatingpower to MMW communication in accordance with the conventionaltransmission-magnetic field pattern of an MRI machine.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system includes one ormore bio-medical units 10, a transmitter unit 126, and a receiver unit128. Each of the bio-medical units 10 includes a power harvesting module46, an EM transceiver 174, a processing module 50, and memory 52. Thetransmitter unit 126 includes a MRI transmitter 130 and electromagnetic(EM) modulator 170. The receiver unit 128 includes a MRI receiver 134and an EM demodulator 172. The transmitter unit 126 and receiver unit128 may be part of a portable MRI device, may be part of a full sizedMRI machine, or part of a separate device for generating EM signals forpowering the bio-medical unit 10.

In an example of operation, the MRI transmitter 130 generates anelectromagnetic signal that is received by the EM modulator 170. The EMmodulator 170 modulates a communication signal on the EM signal toproduce an inbound modulated EM signal 176. The EM modulator 170 maymodulate (e.g., amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, amplitudeshift keying, frequency shift keying, etc.) the magnetic field and/orelectric field of the EM signal. In another embodiment, the EM modulator170 may modulate the magnetic fields produced by the gradient coils toproduce the inbound modulated EM signals 176.

The bio-medical unit 10 recovers power from the modulatedelectromagnetic (EM) signals. In addition, the EM transceiver 174demodulates the modulated EM signals 178 to recover the communicationsignal. For outbound signals, the EM transceiver 174 modulates anoutbound communication signal to produce outbound modulated EM signals180. In this instance, the EM transceiver 174 is generating an EM signalthat, in air, is modulated on the EM signal transmitted by thetransmitter unit 126. In one embodiment, the communication in thissystem is half duplex such that the modulation of the inbound andoutbound communication signals is at the same frequency. In anotherembodiment, the modulation of the inbound and outbound communicationsignals are at different frequencies to enable full duplexcommunication.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of another example of a communication protocolwithin the system of FIG. 19. In this diagram, the MRI transmitter 20transmits RF signals 152, which have a frequency in the range of 3-45MHz, at various intervals with varying signal strengths. The powerharvesting module 46 of the bio-medical units 10 may use these signalsto generate power for the bio-medical unit 10.

In addition to the MRI transmitter 20 transmitting its signal, aconstant magnetic field and various gradient magnetic fields are created154-164 (one or more in the x dimension Gx, one or more in the ydimension Gy, and one or more in the z direction Gz). The powerharvesting module 46 of the bio-medical unit 10 may further use theconstant magnetic field and/or the varying magnetic fields 154-164 tocreate power for the bio-medical unit 10.

During the transmission periods of the cycle, the bio-medical unit 10may communicate via the modulated EM signals 182. In this regard, thebio-medical unit 10 generates power and communicates in accordance withthe conventional transmission-magnetic field pattern of an MRI machine.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a plurality ofimaging bio-medical units 10 in a body part 214 where image data A-H218-232 is provided by the plurality of imaging bio-medical units 10that may pertain to a mass 216 within the body part 214.

The bio-medical units 10 may determine an operational mode based on apre-determination (e.g., pre-programmed) and/or system levelcoordination commands received from an external communication device.The operational mode may specify how to gather image data (e.g., MMWradar sweep, ultrasound, light) and where to gather it (e.g., pointingat a specific location within the body).

In an example, the bio-medical units 10 perform the MMW radar sweep of amass 216 in a body part in a coordinated fashion such that eachbio-medical unit 10 performs the MMW radar sweep sequentially. Inanother example, one bio-medical unit 10 transmits a radar sweep whilethe other bio-medical units 10 generate image data based on receivedreflections.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a parentbio-medical unit (on the left) communicating with an external unit tocoordinates the functions of one or more children bio-medical units 10(on the right). The parent unit includes a communication module 48 forexternal communications, a communication module 48 for communicationwith the children units, the processing module 50, the memory 52, andthe power harvesting module 46. Note that the parent unit may beimplemented one or more chips and may in the body or one the body.

Each of the child units includes a communication module 48 forcommunication with the parent unit and/or other children units, a MEMSrobotics 244, and the power harvesting module 46. The MEMS robotics 244may include one or more of a MEMS technology saw, drill, spreader,needle, injection system, and actuator. The communication module 48 maysupport RF and/or MMW inbound and/or outbound signals 60 to the parentunit such that the parent unit may command the child units in accordancewith external communications commands.

In an example of operation, the patent bio-medical unit receives acommunication from the external source, where the communicationindicates a particular function the child units are to perform. Theparent unit processes the communication and relays relative portions tothe child units in accordance with a control mode. Each of the childunits receives their respective commands and performs the correspondingfunctions to achieve the desired function.

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of aplurality of task coordinated bio-medical units 10 including a parentbio-medical unit 10 (on the left) and one or more children bio-medicalunits 10 (on the right). The parent unit may be implemented one or morechips and may in the body or one the body. The parent unit may harvestpower in conjunction with the power booster 84.

The parent unit includes the communication module 48 for externalcommunications, the communication module 48 for communication with thechildren units, the processing module 50, the memory 52, a MEMSelectrostatic motor 248, and the power harvesting module 46. The childunit includes the communication module 48 for communication with theparent unit and/or other children units, a MEMS electrostatic motor 248,the MEMS robotics 244, and the power harvesting module 46. Note that thechild unit has fewer components as compared to the parent unit and maybe smaller facilitating more applications where smaller bio-medicalunits 10 enhances their effectiveness.

The MEMS robotics 244 may include one or more of a MEMS technology saw,drill, spreader, needle, injection system, and actuator. The MEMSelectrostatic motor 248 may provide mechanical power for the MEMSrobotics 244 and/or may provide movement propulsion for the child unitsuch that the child unit may be positioned to optimize effectiveness.The child units may operate in unison to affect a common task. Forexample, the plurality of child units may operate in unison to sawthrough a tissue area.

The child unit communication module 48 may support RF and/or MMW inboundand/or outbound signals 60 to the parent unit such that the parent unitmay command the children units in accordance with externalcommunications commands.

The child unit may determine a control mode and operate in accordancewith the control mode. The child unit determines the control mode basedon one or more of a command from a parent bio-medical unit, externalcommunications, a preprogrammed list, and/or in response to sensor data.Note that the control mode may include autonomous, parent (bio-medicalunit), server, and/or peer as previously discussed.

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a bio-medicalunit 10 based imaging system that includes the bio-medical unit 10, thecommunication device 24, a database 254, and an in vivo image unit 252.The bio-medical unit 10 may perform scans and provide the in vivo imageunit 252 with processed image data for diagnostic visualization.

The bio-medical unit 10 includes a MEMS image sensor 256, thecommunication module 48 for external communications with thecommunication device, the processing module 50, the memory 52, the MEMSelectrostatic motor 248, and the power harvesting module 46. In anembodiment the bio-medical unit 10 and communication device 24communicate directly. In another embodiment, the bio-medical unit 10 andcommunication device 24 communicate through one or more intermediatenetworks (e.g., wireline, wireless, cellular, local area wireless,Bluetooth, etc.). The MEMS image sensor 256 may include one or moresensors scan types for optical signals, MMW signals, RF signals, EMsignals, and/or sound signals.

The in vivo unit 252 may send a command to the bio-medical unit 10 viathe communication device 24 to request scan data. The request mayinclude the scan type. The in vivo unit 252 may receive the processedimage data from the bio-medical unit 10, compare it to data in thedatabase 254, process the data further, and provide image visualization.

FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationand diagnostic bio-medical unit 10 pair where the pair utilize anoptical communication medium between them to analyze material betweenthem (e.g., tissue, blood flow, air flow, etc,) and to carry messages(e.g., status, commands, records, test results, scan data, processedscan data, etc.).

The bio-medical unit 10 includes a MEMS light source 256, a MEMS imagesensor 258, the communication module 48 (e.g., for externalcommunications with the communication device 24), the processing module50, the memory 52, the MEMS electrostatic motor 248 (e.g., forpropulsion and/or tasks), and the power harvesting module 46. Thebio-medical unit 10 may also include the MEMS light source 256 tofacilitate the performance of light source tasks. The MEMS image sensor258 may be a camera, a light receiving diode, or infrared receiver. TheMEMS light source 256 may emit visible light, infrared light,ultraviolet light, and may be capable of varying or sweeping thefrequency across a wide band.

The processing module 50 may utilize the MEMS image sensor 258 and theMEMS light source 256 to communicate with the other bio-medical unit 10using pulse code modulation, pulse position modulation, or any othermodulation scheme suitable for light communications. The processingmodule 50 may multiplex messages utilizing frequency division,wavelength division, and/or time division multiplexing.

The bio-medical optical communications may facilitate communication withone or more other bio-medical units 10. In an embodiment, a stararchitecture is utilized where one bio-medical unit 10 at the center ofthe star communicates to a plurality of bio-medical units 10 around thecenter where each of the plurality of bio-medical units 10 onlycommunicate with the bio-medical unit 10 at the center of the star. Inan embodiment, a mesh architecture is utilized where each bio-medicalunit 10 communicates as many of the plurality of other bio-medical units10 as possible and where each of the plurality of bio-medical units 10may relay messages from one unit to another unit through the mesh.

The processing module 50 may utilize the MEMS image sensor 258 and theMEMS light source 256 of one bio-medical unit 10 to reflect lightsignals off of matter in the body to determine the composition andposition of the matter. In another embodiment, the processing module 50may utilize the MEMS light source 256 of one bio-medical unit 10 and theMEMS image sensor 258 of a second bio-medical unit 10 to pass lightsignals through matter in the body to determine the composition andposition of the matter. The processing module 50 may pulse the light onand off, sweep the light frequency, vary the amplitude and may use otherperturbations to determine the matter composition and location.

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a bio-medicalunit 10 based sounding system that includes the bio-medical unit 10, thecommunication device 24, the database 254, and a speaker 260. Thebio-medical unit 10 may perform scans and provide the speaker 260 withprocessed sounding data for diagnostic purposes via the communicationdevice 24.

The bio-medical unit 10 includes a MEMS microphone 262, thecommunication module 48 for external communications with thecommunication device 24, the processing module 50, the memory 52, theMEMS electrostatic motor 248, and the power harvesting module 46. In anembodiment the bio-medical unit 10 and communication device 24communicate directly. In another embodiment, the bio-medical unit 10 andcommunication device 24 communicate through one or more intermediatenetworks (e.g., wireline, wireless, cellular, local area wireless,Bluetooth, etc.) The MEMS microphone 262 may include one or more sensorsto detect audible sound signals, sub-sonic sound signals, and/orultrasonic sound signals.

The processing module 50 may produce the processed sounding data basedin part on the received sound signals and in part on data in thedatabase 254. The processing module 50 may retrieve data via thecommunication module 48 and communication device 24 link from thedatabase 254 to assist in the processing of the signals (e.g., patternmatching, filter recommendations, sound field types). The processingmodule 50 may process the signals to detect objects, masses, air flow,liquid flow, tissue, distances, etc. The processing module 50 mayprovide the processed sounding data to the speaker 260 for audibleinterpretation. In another embodiment, the bio-medical unit 10 assistsan ultrasound imaging system by relaying ultrasonic sounds from the MEMSmicrophone 262 to the ultrasound imaging system instead of to thespeaker 260.

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of abio-medical unit 10 communication and diagnostic pair where the pairutilize an audible communication medium between them to analyze materialbetween them (e.g., tissue, blood flow, air flow, etc,) and to carrymessages (e.g., status, commands, records, test results, scan data,processed scan data, etc.). The bio-medical unit 10 includes the MEMSmicrophone 262, a MEMS speaker 264, the communication module 48 (e.g.,for external communications with the communication device), theprocessing module 50, the memory 52, the MEMS electrostatic motor 248(e.g., for propulsion and/or tasks), and the power harvesting module 46.The bio-medical unit 10 may also include the MEMS speaker 264 tofacilitate performance of sound source tasks.

The MEMS microphone 262 and MEMS speaker 264 may utilize audible soundsignals, sub-sonic sound signals, and/or ultrasonic sound signals andmay be capable of varying or sweeping sound frequencies across a wideband. The processing module 50 may utilize the MEMS microphone 262 andMEMS speaker 264 to communicate with the other bio-medical unit 10 usingpulse code modulation, pulse position modulation, amplitude modulation,frequency modulation, or any other modulation scheme suitable for soundcommunications. The processing module 50 may multiplex messagesutilizing frequency division and/or time division multiplexing.

The bio-medical sound based communications may facilitate communicationwith one or more other bio-medical units 10. In an embodiment, a stararchitecture is utilized where one bio-medical unit 10 at the center ofthe star communicates to a plurality of bio-medical units 10 around thecenter where each of the plurality of bio-medical units 10 onlycommunicate with the bio-medical unit 10 at the center of the star. Inan embodiment, a mesh architecture is utilized where each bio-medicalunit 10 communicates as many of the plurality of other bio-medical units10 as possible and where each of the plurality of bio-medical units 10may relay messages from one unit to another unit through the mesh.

The processing module 50 may utilize the MEMS microphone 262 and MEMSspeaker 264 of one bio-medical unit 10 to reflect sound signals off ofmatter in the body to determine the composition and position of thematter. In another embodiment, the processing module 50 may utilize theMEMS microphone 262 of one bio-medical unit 10 and the MEMS speaker 264of a second bio-medical unit 10 to pass sound signals through matter inthe body to determine the composition and position of the matter. Theprocessing module 50 may pulse the sound on and off, sweep the soundfrequency, vary the amplitude and may use other perturbations todetermine the matter composition and location.

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a sound based(e.g., ultrasound) an in vivo imaging system including a plurality ofbio-medical units 10 utilizing short range ultrasound signals in the2-18 MHz range to facilitate imaging a body object 268. The bio-medicalunit 10 includes at least one ultrasound transducer 266, thecommunication module 48 (e.g., for external communications with thecommunication device and for communications with other bio-medicalunits), the processing module 50, the memory 52, and the powerharvesting module 46. The ultrasound transducer 266 may be implementedutilizing MEMS technology and function as an ultrasound receiver or analtered sound transmitter.

In an example of operation, an ultrasound transmitter of a firstbio-medical unit transmits a first ultrasound signal and an ultrasoundtransmitter of a second bio-medical unit transmits the second ultrasoundsignal in accordance with the ultrasound transmit-receive protocol. Forexample, the first ultrasound transmitter may transmit its ultrasoundsignal during a first time interval and the second ultrasoundtransmitter may transmit its ultrasound signal during a second timeinterval.

Each of the ultrasound receivers receives representations of the firstand second ultrasound signals, respectively. From the representations ofthe first and second ultrasound signals, an image of a body object maybe determined. For example, if the first and second bio-medical unitsare in different positions with respect to the body object (e.g., anorgan, a vain, an artery, a growth, etc.), the reflection, refraction,and/or absorption of the first and second ultrasound signals receivedwill be different. From these differences, image data may be generatedregarding the body object.

Each of the bio-medical units may further include a processing moduleand a communication module. One or more of the communication modules maybe used to communicate with a communication device external to the hostbody and/or with another bio-medical unit within the host body. Thecommunications may relate to commands for initiation of transmission andreception of the ultrasound signals, to capture ultrasound image data,to receiving the ultrasound transmit-receive protocol, to transmit therepresentations of the ultrasound signals, etc.

As an alternative to utilizing the communication modules to communicatethe ultrasound transmit-receive protocol, the bio-medical units maycommunicate this information via the ultrasound transmitters and theultrasound receivers. In this instance, communication between thebio-medical units may be done by modulating the data on the first and/orsecond ultrasound signals or may be done in a time division multiplexmanner with the transmission of the first and second ultrasound signals.

As a more specific example, at least one of the first and secondprocessing modules collects the first and second representations of thefirst and second ultrasound signals to produce a collection ofultrasound data (e.g., reflection data, refraction data, and/orabsorption data). This may be done in response to a command receivedfrom external communication device and/or another bio-medical units. Theprocessing module then transmits, via at least one of the first andsecond communication modules, the collection of ultrasound data to theexternal communication device and/or another bio-medical unit. In thismanner, the biomedical units are functioning to collect raw data of thebody object and the external communication device (or another externaldevice) may perform the image processing based on the raw data.

As another more specific example, or in furtherance of the precedingspecific example, the first and second processing modules determinelocation information between the first and second bio-medical units withrespect to a reference point (e.g., the body object or another pointwithin the host body). Such a determination may be made by a pinging theother bio-medical unit and determining the response time (e.g., similarto radar processing). One or both of the processing modules transmits,via its communication module, the location information to the externalcommunication device and/or another bio-medical unit. The locationinformation, in combination with the collection of ultrasound data, maybe processed to render a three-dimensional image of the body object.

In another specific example, at least one of the first and secondprocessing modules determines location information between the first andsecond bio-medical units. The processing module(s) collects the firstand second representations of the first and second ultrasound signals toproduce a collection of ultrasound data. The processing module(s) thengenerates image data of a body object based on the location informationand the collection of ultrasound data in accordance with conventionalsonogram image processing. The processing module transmits, via thefirst and/or second communication modules, the image data (or portionthereof) to the external communication device and/or another bio-medicalunit.

In another example of operation, the in vivo ultrasound system furtherincludes a third bio-medical unit. The third biomedical unit includesits own power harvesting module, an ultrasound transmitter, and anultrasound receiver. The third ultrasound transmitter is powered by thethird supply voltage and is operable to transmit a third ultrasoundsignal in accordance with the ultrasound transmit-receive protocol. Thethird ultrasound receiver is powered by the third supply voltage and isoperable to receive a third representation of the first ultrasoundsignal, a third representation of the second ultrasound signal, and athird representation of the third ultrasound signal.

In this example, each of the first and second ultrasound receiversreceive the third representation of the third ultrasound signal. Inaddition, the three bio-medical units determine location informationbetween each other and order with respect to a body object. The sets ofreceived ultrasound signals and the location information may be locallyprocessed to render an image of the body object or transmitted to anexternal device for subsequent processing.

In another example of operation, an ultrasound transmitter of a firstbio-medical unit transmits a first ultrasound signal at a firstfrequency and an ultrasound transmitter of a second bio-medical unittransmits a second ultrasound signal at a second frequency. Anultrasound receiver in each of the biomedical units receives arepresentation of the first and second ultrasound signals. With adifference in frequency, the higher frequency signal will penetratefurther into a body object and/or the host body than a lower frequencysignal. In this manner, different layers of the body object and/or thehost body may be brought into focus for the resulting sonogram, orultrasound image. Note that the first and/or second frequency may bevaried to adjust the penetration depth of the ultrasound signal into thebody object and/or the host body to enhance the resulting image data.

Each of the biomedical units may further include a processing module andcommunication module. The communication modules may be used tocommunicate the first and/or second frequencies with an externalcommunication device and/or another bio medical unit. In addition, thecommunication modules may be used to convey a collection of ultrasounddata (e.g., the first and second representations of the first and secondultrasound signals) to the external device and/or the other bio-medicalunit. Further, the processing module may collect and process thecollection of ultrasound data to render an image of the body object,which it transmits, via the communication module, to the external deviceand/or the other bio-medical unit.

In yet another example of operation, the processing module 50 controlsthe ultrasonic transducer 266 to produce ultrasonic signals and receiveresulting reflections from the body object 268. The processing module 50may coordinate with the processing module 50 of at least one otherbio-medical unit 10 to produce ultrasonic signal beams (e.g.,constructive simultaneous phased transmissions directed in onedirection) and receive resulting reflections from the body object. Theprocessing module 50 may perform the coordination and/or the pluralityof processing modules 50 may perform the coordination. In an example,the plurality of processing modules 50 receives coordination informationvia the communication module 48 from at least one other bio-medical unit10. In another example, the plurality of processing modules 50 receivescoordination information via the communication module 48 from anexternal communication device.

The processing module produces processed ultrasonic signals based on thereceived ultrasonic reflections from the body object 268. For example,the processed ultrasonic signals may represent a sonogram of the bodypart. The processing module 50 may send the processed ultrasonic signalsto the external communication device and/or to one or more of theplurality of bio-medical units 10.

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationmodule 48 of a bio-medical unit coupled to one or more antennaassemblies 94. The communication module 48 includes a MMW transmitter132, a MMW receiver 136, and a local oscillator generator 298 (LOGEN)and is coupled to the processing module 50. While not shown in thepresent figure, the bio-medical unit includes at least one powerharvesting module that converts an electromagnetic signal into one ormore supply voltages. The one or more supply voltages power the othercomponents of the bio-medical unit. Note that the bio-medical unit andthe antenna assemblies 94 may be implemented on one or more integratedcircuit (IC) dies within a common housing.

The one or more antenna assemblies 94 may include a common transmit andreceive antenna; a separate transmit antenna and a separate receiveantenna; a common array of antennas; and/or an array of transmitantennas and an array of receive antennas. The one or more antennaassemblies 94 may further include a transmission line, an impedancematching circuit, and/or a transmit/receive switch, duplexer, and/orisolator. Each of the antennas of the one or more antenna assemblies 94may be a leaky antenna as shown in FIG. 30 (discussed below) and may beimplemented using MEMS and/or nano technology 296.

In an example of operation, the bi-medical unit is exposed to anelectromagnetic signal as previously discussed. The power harvestingmodule generates a supply voltage from the electromagnetic signal, wherethe supply voltage powers the communication module 48 and the processingmodule 50. When powered, the processing module may receive a commandregarding a bio-medical function via the communication module. Acommunication device external to the host body or another bio-medicalunit may initiate the command, which is received as an inbound (ordownstream) RF or MMW signal by the communication module.

In response to receiving the command, the processing module interpretsit to determine whether the bio-medical function includes a radiofrequency transmission (e.g., for cancer treatment, imaging, painblocking, etc.). When the bio-medical function includes a radiofrequency transmission, the processing module determines a desiredradiation pattern for the antenna assembly. For example, the desiredradiation pattern may have a primary lobe perpendicular to the surfaceof the antenna, a primary lobe at an angle from perpendicular to thesurface, beamformed, etc. Various radiation patterns are shown in FIGS.30 and 31.

Having determined the desired radiation pattern, the processing modulethen determines an operating frequency based on the desired radiationpattern. For example, it may use a look up table to determine theoperating frequency for a particular desired radiation pattern, whichare determined based on the properties of the antenna(s). Once theoperating frequency is established, the antenna assembly will transmitoutbound RF &/or MMW signals and receive inbound RF &/or MMW signals inaccordance with the desired radiation pattern.

As a more specific example, after establishing the operating frequency,the processing module generates a continuous wave treatment signal inaccordance with the bio-medical function (e.g., for pain blocking, forcancer treatment, etc.). In addition, the processing module generates atransmit local oscillation control signal in accordance with thebio-medical function.

The local oscillation generator 298 receives the transmit localoscillation control signal and generates, in accordance therewith, atransmit local oscillation. The transmitter section receives thecontinuous wave treatment signal (which may be a DC signal, a fixedfrequency AC signal with a constant or varying amplitude, or a varyingfrequency AC with a constant or varying amplitude) and the transmitlocal oscillation. The transmitter section mixes the continuous wavetreatment signal and the transmit local oscillation to produce a radiofrequency (RF) continuous wave (CW) signal and outputs it to the antennaassembly, which transmits the RF CW signal in accordance with theradiation pattern.

As another more specific example, after establishing the operatingfrequency, the processing module generates a pulse treatment signal inaccordance with the bio-medical function (e.g., for pain blocking, forcancer treatment, etc.). In addition, the processing module generates atransmit local oscillation control signal in accordance with thebio-medical function.

The local oscillation generator 298 receives the transmit localoscillation control signal and generates, in accordance therewith, atransmit local oscillation. The transmitter section receives the pulsetreatment signal (which may be a pulse train having a constant amplitudeand a constant frequency, a pulse train having a constant amplitude andvarying frequency, a pulse train having a varying amplitude and aconstant frequency) and the transmit local oscillation. The transmittersection mixes the pulse treatment signal and the transmit localoscillation to produce a radio frequency (RF) pulse signal and outputsit to the antenna assembly, which transmits the RF pulse signal inaccordance with the radiation pattern.

As another more specific example, the processing module determines thatthe bio-medical function includes a radio frequency transmission forgenerating an image of a body object. In this instance, the processingmodule determines a varying operating frequency such that the radiationpattern of the antenna assembly varies to produce a varying radiationpattern. In addition, the processing module generates a varying transmitlocal oscillation control signal, which it provides to the localoscillation generator.

The transmitter section generates outbound radio frequency (RF) and/orMMW signals that have varying frequencies and outputs them to theantenna assembly. With the frequencies of the outbound RF signals, theradiation pattern of the antenna assembly will vary. As such, aradar-sweeping pattern is generated.

The receiver section 136 receives a representation of the outbound RFsignal (e.g., reflection, refraction, and/or a determined absorption).The receive section converts the representation of the outbound RFsignal into an inbound symbol stream. The processing module generates aradar image of a body object based on the outbound RF signal and therepresentation of the outbound RF signal.

In addition to providing RF transmissions to support a bio-medicalfunction, the bio-medical unit may also communicate with an externalcommunication device and/or with another bio-medical unit within thehost body. For instance, the processing module determines a secondradiation pattern for communication with a communication device externalto the host body using a second operating frequency, wherein the antennaassembly has the second radiation pattern for the communication at thesecond operating frequency. Such communications may be concurrent withthe supporting of the bio-medical function or in a time divisionmultiplexed manner.

As another example of operation, or in furtherance of the precedingexample, the antenna assembly includes adjustable physicalcharacteristics such that the radiation pattern can be adjusted. Forinstance, an antenna of the antenna assembly includes a first conductivelayer and a second conductive layer. The second conductive layer issubstantially parallel to the first conductive layer and is separated bya distance from the first conductive layer. The second conductive layerincludes a plurality of substantially equally spaced non-conductiveareas corresponding to a particular range of frequencies to facilitatethe radiation pattern for the particular range of frequencies. Tovarying the radiation patterns, the distance between the first andsecond conductive layers may be varied, the geometry of thenon-conductive areas may be varied, and/or the spacing between thenon-conductive areas may be varied.

Continuing with this example, the processing module receives a commandregarding a bio-medical function via the communication module andinterprets it. When the bio-medical function includes a radio frequencytransmission, the processing module determines antenna parameters forthe antenna assembly (e.g., for desired radiation patterns, determinedistance between conductive layers, geometry of the non-conductiveareas, and/or spacing between the non-conductive layers). The processingmodule then generates an antenna control signal based on the antennaparameters, which it provides to the antenna assembly.

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a leaky antenna94 that includes a channel and/or waveguide having a first conductivelayer and a second conductive layer. The layers are separated by adistance (d), which may be fixed or variable. The second conductivelayer includes a series of openings (e.g., non-conductive areas) tofacilitate the radiation of an electromagnetic signal 300 that istraveling down the waveguide. The geometry and/or spacing between theopenings may be fixed or variable.

The leaky antenna pattern (e.g., direction) is a function of at leastthe size of the openings, the distance between openings, and thefrequency of operation. For example, the distance between openings isset to about one wavelength of the nominal center frequency ofoperation. With the physical dimensions static, the leaky antennapattern may be adjusted with changes to frequency of operation (e.g.,above and below the center frequency).

FIG. 31 is a diagram of an antenna pattern at a first frequency ofoperation where the antenna pattern 302 may be substantially in the 90°direction with respect to the length wise direction of the leaky antennawaveguide. In this example, the distance between the openings of theleaky antenna 94 is substantially the same as the length of thewavelength of the frequency of operation.

FIG. 32 is a diagram of an antenna pattern at a second frequency ofoperation where the antenna pattern 304 may be substantially off of the90° direction with respect to the length wise direction of the leakyantenna waveguide. In this example, the distance between the openings ofthe leaky antenna 94 is different than the length of the wavelength ofthe frequency of operation.

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a Doppler radarbio-medical unit to provide a distancing radar function to determine thelocation of a body object 268. The bio-medical unit 10 includes thecommunication module 48 (e.g., for external communications with thecommunication device and for communications with other bio-medicalunits), the MEMS propulsion 348, the processing module 50, the memory52, the power harvesting module 46, a MMW frequency adjust 358, a mixer362, a low noise amplifier 360 (LNA), and a power amplifier 356 (PA).The bio-medical unit 10 may communicate with other bio-medical units 10and/or with a communication device 24 to communicate status informationand/or commands.

The bio-medical unit 10 may send a transmitted MMW signal 364 to thebody object 268 and receive a reflected MMW signal 366 from the bodyobject. 268. Some of the transmitted MMW signal energy is absorbed,reflected in other directions, and/or transmitted to other directions.The bio-medical unit 10 forms a Doppler radar sequence by varying thefrequency of the transmitted MMW signal 364 over a series oftransmission steps. The bio-medical unit 10 may determine the distanceand location information based on the reflected MMW signal 366 inresponse to the Doppler radar.

The bio-medical unit 10 may receive a command from the communicationdevice 24 to reposition, adjust the MMW frequency, and transmit MMWsignals to perform the Doppler radar function. In another embodiment,the communication device 24 may send a command to a plurality ofbio-medical units 10 to coordinate the formation of a beam to betterpinpoint the body object. In yet another embodiment, the communicationdevice 24 may send a command to a plurality of bio-medical units 10 tocoordinate the Doppler radar function from two, three or morebio-medical units 10 to triangulate the body object location based onthe distance information.

The processing module 50 may control the MEMS propulsion 348 toreposition the bio-medical unit 10. The processing module 50 maydetermine how to control the MMW frequency adjust 358 to affect thedistance information detection based on a command, a predetermination,and/or an adaptive algorithm (e.g., that detects course distance rangesat first and fine tunes the accuracy over time). The processing module50 controls the MMW frequency adjust 358 in accordance with thedetermination such that the PA 356 generates the desired transmitted MMWsignal 364. The LNA 360 amplifies the reflected MMW signal 366 and themixer 362 down converts the signal such that the processing module 50receives and processes the signal.

FIG. 34 is a timing diagram of an embodiment of a Doppler radar sequencewhere a transmit (TX) series 368 of MMW transmissions for the transmitsequence of transmitted MMW signals 364 and a receive (RX) series of MMWreceptions for the receive sequence of reflected MMW signals 366. Thetransmit sequence may modulo cycle through frequencies that are Δf apart(e.g., f1, f1+2 Δf, f1+2 Δf, . . . ) spaced apart in time at intervalst1, t2, t3, etc.

The receive sequence 370 provides the reflection signals in the sameorder of the transmit sequence 368 with small differences in time (e.g.,at r1, r2, r3, . . . ) and frequency. The processing module 50determines distance information based on the small differences in timeand frequency between the receive sequence 370 and the originallytransmitted sequence 368.

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a Dopplerradar bio-medical unit 10 to provide a distancing radar function todetermine the density of a body object 268 when the body object 268vibrates from an ultrasound signal 372. At least one other bio-medicalunit 10 may provide the ultrasound signal.

The bio-medical unit 10 includes the communication module 48 (e.g., forexternal communications with the communication device and forcommunications with other bio-medical units), the MEMS propulsion 348,the processing module 50, the memory 52, the power harvesting module 46,a MMW frequency adjust 358, a mixer 362, a low noise amplifier 360(LNA), and a power amplifier 356 (PA). The bio-medical unit 10 maycommunicate with other bio-medical units 10 and/or with a communicationdevice 24 to communicate status information and/or commands. Forexample, the bio-medical unit 10 may coordinate with at least one otherbio-medical unit 10 to provide the ultrasound signal 372.

The bio-medical unit 10 may send a transmitted MMW signal 364 to thebody object and receive a reflected MMW signal 366 from the body object.Some of the transmitted MMW signal energy is absorbed by the bodyobject, reflected in other directions, and/or transmitted to otherdirections. Note that the reflections may vary as a function of theultrasound signal where the reflected signals vary according to thedensity of the body object.

The bio-medical unit 10 forms a Doppler radar sequence by varying thefrequency of the transmitted MMW signal 364 over a series oftransmission steps. The bio-medical unit 10 may determine the distanceand density based on the reflected MMW signal 366 in response to theDoppler radar.

The bio-medical unit 10 may receive a command from the communicationdevice 24 to reposition, adjust the MMW frequency, and transmit MMWsignals 364 to perform the Doppler radar function. In anotherembodiment, the communication device 24 may send a command to aplurality of bio-medical units 10 to coordinate the formation of a beamto better pinpoint the body object 268 and determine the density. In yetanother embodiment, the communication device 24 may send a command to aplurality of bio-medical units 10 to coordinate the Doppler radarfunction from two, three or more bio-medical units 10 to triangulate thebody object 268 location based on the distance information.

The processing module 50 may control the MEMS propulsion 348 toreposition the bio-medical unit 10. The processing module 50 maydetermine how to control the MMW frequency adjust 358 to affect thedistance and density information detection based on a command, apredetermination, and/or an adaptive algorithm (e.g., that detectscourse distance ranges at first and fine tunes the accuracy over time).The processing module 50 controls the MMW frequency adjust 358 inaccordance with the determination such that the PA 356 generates thedesired transmitted MMW signal 364. The LNA 360 amplifies the reflectedMMW signal 366 and the mixer 362 down converts the signal such that theprocessing module 50 receives and processes the signal.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includesdirect coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items viaan intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, acomponent, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” or “operablycoupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of powerconnections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, oneor more its corresponding functions and may further include inferredcoupling to one or more other items. As may still further be usedherein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirectcoupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within anotheritem. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicatesthat a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides adesired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is thatsignal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparisonmay be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that ofsignal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal1.

While the transistors in the above described figure(s) is/are shown asfield effect transistors (FETs), as one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate, the transistors may be implemented using any type oftransistor structure including, but not limited to, bipolar, metal oxidesemiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), N-well transistors,P-well transistors, enhancement mode, depletion mode, and zero voltagethreshold (VT) transistors.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described, at least in part, in terms ofone or more embodiments. An embodiment of the present invention is usedherein to illustrate the present invention, an aspect thereof, a featurethereof, a concept thereof, and/or an example thereof. A physicalembodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/orof a process that embodies the present invention may include one or moreof the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described withreference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

1. An in vivo ultrasound system comprises: a first bio-medical unitincluding; a first power harvesting module operable to convert anelectromagnetic signal into a first supply voltage; a first ultrasoundtransmitter powered by the first supply voltage, wherein the firstultrasound transmitter is operable to transmit a first ultrasound signalin accordance with an ultrasound transmit-receive protocol; a firstultrasound receiver powered by the first supply voltage, where in thefirst ultrasound receiver is operable to: receive a first representationof the first ultrasound signal; and receive a first representation of asecond ultrasound signal; a second bio-medical unit including: a secondpower harvesting module operable to convert the electromagnetic signalinto a second supply voltage; a second ultrasound transmitter powered bythe second supply voltage, wherein the second ultrasound transmitter isoperable to transmit the second ultrasound signal in accordance with theultrasound transmit-receive protocol; a second ultrasound receiverpowered by the second supply voltage, wherein the second ultrasoundreceiver is operable to: receive a second representation of the firstultrasound signal; and receive a second representation of the secondultrasound signal.
 2. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 1 furthercomprises: the first bio-medical unit further including a firstprocessing module; and the second bio-medical unit further including asecond processing module, wherein the first and second processingmodules communicate via the first and second ultrasound transmitters andfirst and second ultrasound receivers to convey the ultrasoundtransmit-receive protocol.
 3. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 1further comprises: the first bio-medical unit further including a firstprocessing module and a first communication module; and the secondbio-medical unit further including a second processing module and asecond communication module.
 4. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 3further comprises: the first and second processing modules communicatevia the first and second communication modules to convey the ultrasoundtransmit-receive protocol.
 5. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 3further comprises: at least one of the first and second processingmodules operable to receive, via at least one of the first and secondcommunication modules, the ultrasound transmit-receive protocol from atleast one of an external communication device and another bio-medicalunit.
 6. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 3 further comprises: atleast one of the first and second processing modules operable to:collect the first and second representations of the first and secondultrasound signals to produce a collection of ultrasound data; andtransmit, via at least one of the first and second communicationmodules, the collection of ultrasound data to at least one of anexternal communication device and another bio-medical unit.
 7. The invivo ultrasound system of claim 6 further comprises: the first andsecond processing modules operable to determine location informationbetween the first and second bio-medical units; and the at least one ofthe first and second processing modules transmitting, via the at leastone of the first and second communication modules, the locationinformation to the at least one of an external communication device andanother bio-medical unit.
 8. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 3further comprises: at least one of the first and second processingmodules operable to: determine location information between the firstand second bio-medical units; collect the first and secondrepresentations of the first and second ultrasound signals to produce acollection of ultrasound data; generate image data of a body objectbased on the location information and the collection of ultrasound data;and transmit, via at least one of the first and second communicationmodules, the image data to at least one of an external communicationdevice and another bio-medical unit.
 9. The in vivo ultrasound system ofclaim 1 further comprises: a third bio-medical unit including: a thirdpower harvesting module operable to convert the electromagnetic signalinto a third supply voltage; a third ultrasound transmitter powered bythe third supply voltage, wherein the third ultrasound transmitter isoperable to transmit a third ultrasound signal in accordance with theultrasound transmit-receive protocol; a third ultrasound receiverpowered by the third supply voltage, wherein the third ultrasoundreceiver is operable to: receive a third representation of the firstultrasound signal; receive a third representation of the secondultrasound signal; and receive a third representation of the thirdultrasound signal, wherein each of the first and second ultrasoundreceivers receive the third representation of the third ultrasoundsignal.
 10. An in vivo ultrasound system comprises: a first bio-medicalunit including; a first power harvesting module operable to convert anelectromagnetic signal into a first supply voltage; a first ultrasoundtransmitter powered by the first supply voltage, wherein the firstultrasound transmitter is operable to transmit a first ultrasound signalat a first frequency; a first ultrasound receiver powered by the firstsupply voltage, where in the first ultrasound receiver is operable to:receive a first representation of the first ultrasound signal; andreceive a first representation of a second ultrasound signal; a secondbio-medical unit including: a second power harvesting module operable toconvert the electromagnetic signal into a second supply voltage; asecond ultrasound transmitter powered by the second supply voltage,wherein the second ultrasound transmitter is operable to transmits thesecond ultrasound signal at a second frequency; a second ultrasoundreceiver powered by the second supply voltage, wherein the secondultrasound receiver is operable to: receive a second representation ofthe first ultrasound signal; and receive a second representation of thesecond ultrasound signal.
 11. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 10further comprises: the first bio-medical unit further including a firstprocessing module and a first communication module; and the secondbio-medical unit further including a second processing module and asecond communication module.
 12. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim11 further comprises: at least one of the first and second processingmodules operable to receive, via at least one of the first and secondcommunication modules, a command regarding the first and secondfrequencies from at least one of an external communication device andanother bio-medical unit.
 13. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 11further comprises: at least one of the first and second processingmodules operable to: collect the first and second representations of thefirst and second ultrasound signals to produce a collection ofultrasound data; and transmit, via at least one of the first and secondcommunication modules, the collection of ultrasound data to at least oneof an external communication device and another bio-medical unit. 14.The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 13 further comprises: the firstand second processing modules operable to determine location informationbetween the first and second bio-medical units; and the at least one ofthe first and second processing modules transmitting, via the at leastone of the first and second communication modules, the locationinformation to the at least one of an external communication device andanother bio-medical unit.
 15. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 11further comprises: at least one of the first and second processingmodules operable to: determine location information between the firstand second bio-medical units; collect the first and secondrepresentations of the first and second ultrasound signals to produce acollection of ultrasound data; generate image data of a body objectbased on the location information and the collection of ultrasound data;and transmit, via at least one of the first and second communicationmodules, the image data to at least one of an external communicationdevice and another bio-medical unit.
 16. The in vivo ultrasound systemof claim 11 further comprises: at least one of the first and secondprocessing modules operable to, at least one of: vary the firstfrequency to adjust penetration depth of the first ultrasound signal;and vary the second frequency to adjust penetration depth of the secondultrasound signal.
 17. The in vivo ultrasound system of claim 10 furthercomprises: a third bio-medical unit including: a third power harvestingmodule operable to convert the electromagnetic signal into a thirdsupply voltage; a third ultrasound transmitter powered by the thirdsupply voltage, wherein the third ultrasound transmitter is operable totransmits a third ultrasound signal at a third frequency; a thirdultrasound receiver powered by the third supply voltage, wherein thethird ultrasound receiver is operable to: receive a secondrepresentation of the first ultrasound signal; receive a secondrepresentation of the second ultrasound signal; and receive a thirdrepresentation of the third ultrasound signal, wherein each of the firstand second ultrasound receivers receive the third representation of thethird ultrasound signal.